Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal

IVC Evidensia; Ballyshannon; On-site; EUR 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

22 days Annual Leave

Maternity, Paternity & Adoptive Leave

Cycle to Work Scheme

EAP and Wellbeing Centre

Bereavement Leave & Company Sick Pay

Annual CPD allowance

VCI membership paid

VDS cover paid

Pawesome Benefits

Employer Pension Contributions

Free Flu Inoculations

Discounted Veterinary Fees

Company programmes (Wellbeing etc)

Job summary

Old Church Vets in Donegal Town is seeking a Veterinary Surgeon for a full-time, permanent role. The position combines consulting, surgery and case work-ups, with the opportunity to follow cases from start to finish.

You’ll sometimes work in sole charge with supportive in-house facilities that minimise referrals. A structured rota and team collaboration ensure work–life balance and professional growth.

Qualifications

• VCI registration is required.
• Minimum 2 years of clinical experience.
• Confident working independently with a supportive team.

Responsibilities

• Consulting and surgery in small animal cases.
• Follow cases through from presentation to outcome.
• Enjoy a balance of autonomy with team support.

Skills

Clinical excellence

Team collaboration

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Registered Veterinary Surgeon (VCI)

Job description

Veterinary Surgeon – Small Animal

Old Church Vets, Donegal — Full-time | Permanent

Salary up to €60,000 DOE

A Small Animal Role with Real Variety & Support

A Role Where You Can Truly Clinically Thrive

This position offers a rewarding mix of consulting, surgery, and case work‑ups, with the opportunity to follow cases through from start to finish. With excellent in‑house facilities, referrals are kept to a minimum, giving you the chance to develop confidence and clinical depth in your decision‑making.

You will be trusted with sole charge responsibilities at times, making this an ideal step for a confident vet who enjoys autonomy but also values having a strong team around them for support and collaboration.

Keep Your Mixed Practice Edge (With Support)

While this is a small animal‑focused role, you’ll be part of a shared out‑of‑hours rota that includes some large animal work. Importantly, you’ll never be on your own — guidance and support are always available, making this a great opportunity to maintain or gently develop mixed practice skills if desired.

A Structured Rota That Respects Your Time

Work‑life balance is genuinely prioritised here. You’ll work a structured and predictable schedule, with protected time off so you can fully switch off when you’re away from work.

Your working week typically runs Monday to Friday, 9am–6pm, alongside a 1 in 5 rota for nights and weekends, including a light Saturday commitment. Crucially, no phone triage is required, as calls are screened by an experienced admin team before reaching the on‑call vet.

An Established Practice with a Strong Reputation

Old Church Veterinary Group has been caring for animals since 1954 and is deeply rooted in the local community. Operating across three sites, including a beautifully converted 19th‑century hospital in Donegal Town, the practice blends heritage charm with modern veterinary medicine.

The team consists of 8 vets, 5 RVNs, and a dedicated support team, all working together with a strong sense of camaraderie, respect, and shared clinical pride.

Facilities are extensive and include a full IDEXX lab, ultrasound, digital X‑ray, endoscopy, laser therapy, physiotherapy, and orthopaedic capabilities, allowing for a high standard of in‑house care.

Who This Role Will Suit

This opportunity is best suited to a confident and capable small animal vet who is comfortable with a first‑opinion caseload and enjoys taking responsibility for their work.

You’ll be VCI registered, have at least 2 years’ clinical experience, and be confident working both independently and as part of a close‑knit team. While prior mixed experience is helpful, what matters most is a positive attitude, willingness to learn, and a strong team ethos.

A Benefits Package That Supports You

Alongside a competitive salary, you’ll benefit from a package designed to support both your professional growth and personal wellbeing:

• 22 days Annual Leave & Birthday leave
• Paid Maternity, Paternity & Adoptive Leave Packages
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Full access to EAP and Wellbeing Centre
• Paid Bereavement Leave & Company Sick Pay

Development

• €1300 annual CPD allowance with 5 days paid CPD days pro rata
• Funding of any Certificates / Diplomas / PhD’s you may want to pursue
• Career Progression Opportunities, both clinical and non‑clinical

Professional Memberships

• VCI membership paid
• VDS cover paid

Additional Benefits

• Annual Pay Reviews
• Dedicated CARE fund – annual contribution of €1,100 from IVC Evidensia for each Vet to use on a case of your choice to ensure successful outcome with your patient (T& C’s apply)
• Pawesome Benefits – reward gateway giving discounts and cashback with hundreds of retailers
• Employer Pension Contributions
• Free Flu Inoculations
• Discounted Veterinary Fees
• Opportunity to join company programmes (LGBTQ+, Wellbeing Champions, Nurses Committee, Clinical Board and many more)

Join a Team That Values What You Bring

This is more than a maternity cover role — it’s an opportunity to step into a welcoming, experienced team, build your confidence in a supportive setting, and enjoy a role that offers clinical variety, autonomy, and balance.

If you’re looking for your next move in a practice where you can feel trusted, supported, and genuinely part of the team, we’d love to hear from you.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analysing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.